Chocolate Candies

For today’s post I chose a traditional Brazilian recipe: Brigadeiros or Brazilian chocolate candies.

History says the chocolate candies originated in the South of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, circa 1920 when some old ladies that couldn’t find enough supply of fresh milk decided to mix condensed milk instead with chocolate to prepare a dessert. However the candies became nationally known when in 1940 the Brigadier Eduardo Gomes decided to use them as give-away gifts for people attending the parties he promoted during his rum for presidential elections. So after this, the candies were name “Brigadeiros” (Brigadiers).

These candies are a must-have in all kid’s birthday parties and I don’t know one child that doesn’t like them. What I do know is that a lot of adults also like them very much and I’m sure you will too once you try them.

To makethis recipe you need:

1 can of condensed milk

2 tablespoons of sweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

1 tablespoon of butter

Chocolate sprinkles or colored sugar strands

Small paper cases

To prepare the candies:

Add all the ingredients to a heavy bottom saucepan. Mix them well and bring to the stove top to cook in low heat stirring constantly. The cooking time is about 15 min. The tip I can give you is it is ready when starts to boil and the dough doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan anymore.  

Transfer the mixture to a butter plate and let it cool down completely.

When the mixture is cooled it is time to start rolling the candies in small balls. Put the chocolate sprinkles in a soup bowl or some deep dish. Open the paper cases and put them side by side.

Butter your hands and put a teaspoon of dough on them and roll into a ball. Dip the ball in the sprinkles and roll it until it is completely covered. Transfer the candy to a small paper case. At first seems a bit complicated but in fact it is very easy. Once you’ve done a few of them it is going to be easier.

This recipe yields around 20 candies depending on the size you choose for them (Mine are about 2cm each).